Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante has shut down speculation linking his name with an imminent move to La Liga giants Real Madrid.
Having joined from Leicester in the summer of 2016, Kante has gone on to become one of the most important players of the Blues squad. While he has excelled in the past two seasons playing in a defensive midfield role, this campaign sees the French star line up in a more advanced role under Maurizio Sarri.
While the shift has not been far from a disaster, with the 27-year-old’s three goals and four assists in 30 league appearances a decent return, it has been far from ideal as well as many believe the French midfielder’s key strengths are misused at the advanced areas of the pitch. Kante, for his part, has since revealed he has been enjoying playing in that new role.
Yet while he has been unable to demonstrate his vital skill set that has seen him be considered the world’s elite defensive midfielder, he reportedly is still attracting admiring glances from top European sides, including Real Madrid, with Zinedine Zidane believed to be a huge admirer of his fellow World Cup winner.
It has led to rumours linking the pugnacious Kante with a potential switch to Los Merengues in the summer yet in a recent interview with a French outlet, the Chelsea midfielder poured cold water on the speculation, saying he does not listen to what others are saying and that his focus remains solely with the west London side.
“I am at Chelsea and I still have aims here, what is said elsewhere is not important,” said the 27-year-old. “That is not important. I am at Chelsea and I am focused on that.”
Kante is currently on international duty with France and is expected to start for the Blues away at Cardiff when club football resumes at the weekend.
